IRD MECHANALYSIS (UK) LTD

JOURNAL BEARING VIBRATION

This section deals with plain bearings in high-speed rotating plant such as
turbines and rotary compressors. It does not apply to reciprocating engines.
The bearings of rotating plant include both journal and thrust bearings. In
practice, only the journal bearings play a significant part in rotor vibration, and
the journal bearings alone are discussed here.

Rotor vibration phenomena are complicated; the rotor, bearings and bearing
supports are involved. The journal bearing oil film increases the flexibility of
the system and introduces damping; but occasionally the film excites vibration,
or fails to restrain unstable vibration excited elsewhere.

The most important types of vibration in which the bearings play a significant
part are set out in Table 1. the conditions of occurrence and remedies suggested
by experience are stated briefly. The out-of-balance vibrations which head the
list are frequently experienced; the other types, which are of unstable character,
are encountered less frequently. when instability is experienced, the simple
remedy of changing the running condition should first be tried; Table 3 gives
some suggested changes additional to the oil supply variation of Table 1. If
changing the running condition is ineffective, a change in build must be tried, as
indicated in Table 1.

Some bearing designs which have been found beneficial in resisting vibration
are shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3. Another design sometimes found sericeable is the
tilting-pad journal bearings; this has been used more in American than in British
practice.

The primary precautions against vibration is good design. Table 2 sets out
important design features. First-class workmanship in manufacture and erection
is imperative for good running.

Operating conditions have great influence on bearing vibration. Table 3 gives

information on this, with suggestions for improvement when vibration is
associated with the operating condition. Attention must be paid to the vibration
instruments which are provided on modern turbine installations.

Observations of vibration trouble, and of remedies found in service, should be

reported to the manufacturer of the plant.

SOURCE OF VIBRATION
Out of balance (permanent)
Out of balance (thermal wander)
Bearing (light load instability)
Bearing (half speed whirl)
Bearing (low frequency whirl)
Steam force
Synchronous whirl
TYPES OF BEARING VIBRATION
CHARACTER AND
FREQUENCY RELATIVE
TO SHAFT SPEED x
Steady, x
Varying amplitude, x
Irregular, less than x
Whirl at or close to x/2
Whirl at lowest critical speed,
below x/2
Whirl at lowest critical speed,
below 0.65 x
Very slow build-up of
amplitude, x
TABLE 1
CONDITIONS OF
OCCURRENCE
Rotor out of balance or journals
misaligned (with 3 or more
bearings)
Thermal distortion of rotor
Light bearing load e.g. turbine at 50
rev/s with bearing loading less than
0.4 MN/m² (60 lbf/in²)
Within narrow speed range close to
twice critical speed
Over wide speed range
Instability above certain load on
turbine
May occur during starting or on
change of load condition
IRD MECHANALYSIS (UK) LTD
SUGGESTED REMEDY
Re balance and check journal
alignment
Improve starting and operating
techniques
a) Vary oil supply condition
b) Stabilised bearing (Fig 2)
Change critical speed of rotor
a) Vary oil supply conditions
b) Elliptical bearing (Fig 1), or
three-land bearing (Fig 3)
a) Vary oil supply condition
b) Elliptical bearing (Fig 1), or
three-land bearing (Fig 3)
a) Vary oil supply condition
b) Shorten bearing, or (if elliptical)
increase vertical clearance
REMARKS
Some vibration usually
present
Mainly on rotors with
high temperature inlet
Mainly on small turbines
Greatest risk when critical
speed is below 0.4 x
Mainly on HP turbine of
set of high rating
Intermittent on certain
sets. Sometimes mistaken
for thermal wander
 IRD MECHANALYSIS (UK) LTD

TABLE 2
DESIGN FEATURES AFFECTING BEARING VIBRATION

DESIGN FEATURE REQUIREMENTS

Critical speeds No critical speed near normal running speed. No
critical speed close to half running speed. Lowest
critical speed above 40% of running speed when
possible

Bearing design Adopt special bearing design, as listed in Table 1,

where there is risk of any type of unstable vibration.
Use same bearing design at both ends of each rotor

Maintenance of bearing alignment Design plant to ensure little or no distortion of

stationary parts, either thermally or under load, which
may change bearing alignment

TABLE 3
OPERATING CONDITIONS AFFECTING BEARING VIBRATION

CONDITION OBSERVED VIBRATION MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT

Starting Responds to speed or a) Follow instructions provided
temperature change
b) Pass rapidly through critical speed
ranges; elsewhere change running
conditions slowly and steadily
Loading Responds to load change a) Follow instructions provided

b) Change conditions slowly except in

emergency
Journal bearing Responds to change a) Examine operating conditions
alignment affecting alignment. Reduce variation
if possible
b)
In overhaul, reset alignment allowing
for variation in service
Oil supply to bearings Responds to change in condition a) Follow instructions provided

b) Try changes in pressure and

temperature of oil supply. Watch oil
outlet temperature and bearing
temperature

Further reading

Smith, D M Journal Bearings in Turbomachinery (Chapman & Hall, 1969)